Planning & Community Development Manager

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Wilson is a city of around 50,000 people located in the heart of eastern North Carolina. We are about an hour from the Research Triangle and the buzz of the Raleigh area, and you can also quickly reach the North Carolina beaches.

The City of Wilson is known for innovation and outstanding service. We have top-rated, nationally accredited police, fire and recreation departments. Our parks and sports facilities are among the best in the nation, and our Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is a unique and beautiful attraction that hosts concerts, farmers markets and the N.C. Whirligig Festival among other events. Our downtown ballpark proudly serves as the home of the Milwaukee Brewers minor league affiliate. The team celebrated its inaugural Opening Night on April 14, 2026, marking an exciting new chapter for our community and downtown district.

Wilson has the strongest manufacturing base in our part of the state, including tire manufacturing, pharmaceutical and other industries. The Greenlight citywide broadband services help technology-based companies flourish.

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a best-in-class benefits package that brings additional value to your total compensation. To learn more about our benefits package, click on the ‘Benefits’ tab above.

The hiring range for this position is $85,734.87 (minimum salary) to $118,069.97 (midpoint of range) dependent upon qualifications. 

The Planning and Community Development Manager will be responsible for leading efforts to promote community health, economic growth, attract investment, and foster vibrant environments within the neighborhoods, commercial, and natural areas of the city. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership and management skills, a passion for community revitalization, a strong understanding of sustainable, community-based development, and a proven track record of driving impactful initiatives in developing and redeveloping areas in service of city growth goals.

This position is responsible for assisting the Director of the Planning and Community Revitalization in the operations of the department within the Long-Range Planning and Community Development divisions. The purpose of this position is to provide leadership, management, and supervision to the divisions. The position manages budgets, supervises division staff, and oversees projects, programs, and initiatives in the areas of long-range city planning, community development, historic preservation, brownfields, and related development activities. Demands of projects, programs and initiatives, including competing and overlapping priorities and deadlines contribute the complexity of this position. Successful performance helps ensure the effective and efficient provision of city services and reaching city goals to serve citizens and stakeholders and improve the community.

 Major Duties

• Helps develop comprehensive strategies and activities to stimulate community-informed, social and economic community growth and development. Ensures Comprehensive Plan is updated according to organizational needs and state law, including creation of small area plans, and prioritizes plan implementation.  
• Manages staff, provides strategic direction, and oversees division operations,. Oversees staff that serve city boards and commissions, such as the Bike and Pedestrian Board, Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), as well as partnered initiatives such as the Food Council and Wilson Wellness Collaborative.
• Directs the Long-Range Planning and Community Development divisions; leads the development of recommendations for long-term planning programs, projects, and initiatives; prepares development, growth, and design plans and studies; implements community revitalization activities specifically tailored for a non-entitlement community; pursues available grants and other funding mechanisms; manages grant programs and special initiatives to further the goals. 
• Directs the historic preservation program, encouraging appropriate historic redevelopment in the city’s 5 historic districts, ensuring efficient and effective operations of the HPC and complying with state and federal preservation standards. 
• Oversees various contractors and consultants, acting as administrator to ensure external experts deliver high-quality work, on time and within budget.
• Oversees the city’s Brownfields program, including the administration of the $1M Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for remediation and redevelopment projects.
• Prepares and administers budgets for divisions, projects, programs and initiatives. Coordinates draw requests for grant reimbursements and manages the financial accuracy of grants and contracts. 
• Advises developers, stakeholders, partners, and the general public on division goals through presentations and public education activities. Serves on and contributes to committees, ensuring inter-department and community input and participation on plans and studies. 
• Assists in updating and interpreting the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), other land-use regulations, Municipal Code, and other policies and procedures to align with the Comprehensive and other relevant plans and studies.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Guidelines

• Guidelines include organizational and departmental standard operating procedures, Comprehensive Plan and other related plans and studies, Unified Development Ordinance, Municipal Code, and related laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, North Carolina General Statutes, and relevant federal laws and codes. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. 

Supervisory/Management Responsibility

• This position manages and supervises division operations for two divisions and various programs. 

 Education/Experience Requirements

• Knowledge and competency commonly associated with the completion of a master’s degree in planning, community development, or related field(s). American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is highly preferred. 
• Seven to ten years of related experience and track record of success is preferred to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives of the divisions, work of subordinate positions, and ability to successfully plan, solve problems, and execute. This includes significant management and supervisory experience, usually associated with a minimum of five years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid North Carolina driver’s license. 

Knowledge Requirements

• Knowledge of and experience in the principles, practices, and procedures of community development, planning, historic preservation.
• Knowledge of and skills in State and Federal Programs including Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields.
• Proven skill in management and supervision of multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Skill in budgeting, overseeing division, project/program, and operational budgets, and 
• Skill in pursuing, writing, and submitting grant applications and other funding mechanisms. Skill in managing, administering, and reporting on grants and other secured funding. 
• Strong skills in clear interpersonal, organizational, departmental, divisional, and community communication. Ability to effectively engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders and handle sensitive situations appropriately.
• Strong ability to be flexible with changing or competing interests and deadlines. 
• Skill in operating computers, hardware and software, and other office equipment. 

 

• The work is typically performed in an office and on-site. The employee may be exposed to noise or machinery and may occasionally work outdoors in inclement weather. The work may require the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves. 

Salary : $85,735 - $150,405